The NPD Manager will drive the innovation agenda internally and with our customers. Ensuring a continuous quality first agenda. Supported by the Process Technologist and reporting to the Head of NPD. We are looking for a real foodie and someone who gets excited about innovation
Food Obsessed - You are the engine behind our product innovation agenda. Keeping your finger on the pulse of food and drink trends and sharing your findings, products and examples across the team.
Continuous learning / researching. Use personal experience, product tastings, online research and insight driven by the category team.
NPD and EPD management - Relentlessly driving innovation and product improvement from concept to launch.
Working in tandem with the Category and Commercial team to ensure we are using data driven insight to target the largest and most strategic opportunities to deliver category value and volume growth.
Proactive and continuous product management. Driving the long-term innovation plan to deliver against our customers strategic ambitions
Working cross functionally with Category and Commercial to ensure a joined-up approach to product launches with all of our customers.
Developing innovation briefs, in partnership with our customers as their partner supplier.
To develop products from concept, customer sign off, factory trials, nutrition and shelf-life evaluation through to launch procedures. Includes associated specification and quality system maintenance.
Internal systems and specs maintained and up to date. Customer critical path management, paperwork and systems management.
Sample Management - Development of products will require kitchen development work regarding samples for customer presentations.
Samples are fit for purpose and of the highest quality for both internal and customer approval.
Project management - Lead and own all customers and projects working closely with Category, Commercial, Technical, Planning & Operations.
Internal and external teams understand the ownership of the project. Provide clear communication to and direction to all key stakeholders both internally and within our customers.
NPD Meeting leadership - Cross functional, biweekly meeting.
Specifications and artwork are approved in a timely manner as directed by our customers and inline with the critical path.
Benchmarking - Support the benchmarking schedule. Feedback to the business updates with opportunities and developments within the sector
Process Management - Support the Process Technologist in investigation of process related issues, identifying issues and making recommendations to deliver quality and consistency.
Continuous improvement approach to NPD & Production
Customer presentations - Lead NPD / Product development and Benchmarking meetings with all customers.
Product Presentations are led by the NPD team to customers and aligned with Category and Commercial.
A passion for food culture, research through media, online platforms, comp shops, food safaris and recipe exploration. Share your findings with the team.
Role flexibility - At times you may be required to work outside of normal hours to ensure delivery of key projects.
ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND QUALITIES
Essential
Desirable
Previous NPD / Process experience.
Previous experience in FMCG environment
A real passion for food
A well-developed palate
Driven and motivated
Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills
IT literate
Good attention to detailExcellent English speaking and written skills
Ability to plan and organise your time to deliver concepts to an agreed quality and timescale
Previous experience in a chilled food manufacturing environment
Achieved a 2.1 Degree (or equivalent) from a food science, food nutrition or general science subject
Driving license